Development of a New Optical Measurement System for Curved Tube Inspection

HJ机械与模具（HJMP）位于安大略省滑铁卢，是制造夹具，模具，模具和工具的领先制造商。自1975年成立以来，HJMP一直为一级和二级汽车组织提供检测和装配夹具，这些汽车组织为所有主要汽车制造商提供最终产品。在汽车中，使用了许多类型的弯曲管，如动力转向线、燃油轨、细刹车线到大排气管。通过测量管材的形状和尺寸对其进行正确的检查，以生产正确的零件和防止报废好的零件是至关重要的。传统上，这些测量是在检查夹具的帮助下进行的；然而，测量结果在很大程度上取决于操作者。此外，它只能决定“通过或不通过”，而不能导出有关整体尺寸和公差的信息（弯曲数据）。HJMP计划通过与滑铁卢大学的合作，开发一种新的检测系统，不仅可以做出合格/不合格的决定，还可以在最小的操作员依赖下准确地获得3D弯曲数据。因此，本项目的主要目标是开发一种能够准确测量弯曲管三维几何形状并得出测量报告的光学管测量系统。这将通过研究两个阶段的解决方案来实现：第一阶段是将光学技术与传统检测夹具相结合，主要是在最小的操作员依赖下准确地做出合格/不合格的决定。第二阶段是开发一种光学系统，该系统将用几台高分辨率数码相机捕捉试管的图像，并将图像数据转换为试管的关键尺寸。提出的光学测量系统将为HJMP提供新型的检测技术，并为开发新的市场提供机会。建成后，HJMP将具备更强的竞争力和生产力，凭借其改进的技术、价格和新的解决方案，在竞争激烈的市场中脱颖而出，从而通过增加就业和扩大出口，为加拿大经济做出贡献。

HJ Machine & Pattern (HJMP), located in Waterloo, Ontario, is the leading manufacturer of manufacturingjigs, die, patterns and tools. Since established in 1975, HJMP has supplied inspection and assembly fixtures toTier 1 & 2 automotive organizations who supply the final product to all major car manufacturers.In automobiles, many types of curved tubes are used, such as power steering lines, fuel rails, thin brakelines to large exhaust pipe. It is essential to inspect them correctly by measuring the tube shapes anddimensions for the production of correct parts and prevention of the scrapping of good parts. Traditionally,these measurements were conducted with the help of inspection fixtures; however, the measuring resultsdepend very much on the operator. Also it can only decide 'pass or fail', and cannot derive the information onthe overall dimensions and tolerances (bend data). HJMP plans to develop a new inspection system that can notonly make the pass/fail decision but also derive the 3D bend data accurately with minimumoperator-dependence, through the collaboration with University of Waterloo.Therefore, main objective of the project is to develop an optical tube measurement system that canaccurately measure the 3D geometry of curved tubes and derive the measurement report. It will be pursued byinvestigating two stage of solutions: The first stage is to integrate the optical technology with conventionalinspection fixture, mainly to make pass/fail decision accurately with minimal operator dependence. The secondstage is to develop an optical system that will capture the images of the tube with several high-resolution digitalcameras and convert the image data to key dimensions of the tube.The proposed optical measurement system will equip HJMP with new type of inspection technology, andprovide an opportunity to develop a new market. Upon completion, HJMP would be equipped with enhancedcompetitiveness and productivity to excel in the competitive market with its improved technology, pricing anda new solution, thus contributing to Canadian economy, by adding jobs and expanding exports.